I thought so too, the trip computer actually registered 38. I calculated myself when I filled up and got 36.7. This trip was mostly highway driving around 60 - 65 mph, I'm sure it would drop some at interstate speeds.

Vehicle transport...that's the job! The perfect gig for the car guy in me actually. Turns out another guy on the crew walks with a cane so I'm not alone. The best part is that I can probably work as much as I'd like, if he calls me. The key here was flexibility since he usually calls in the morning and we need to be at the meeting area within an hour and a half or so. Knowing the night before is good so I can pack a meal and drinks so I can save some cash. I just jump on the turnpike and if the traffic g-ds are smiling down on me, I can be there within 20 minutes give or take. there's all sorts of construction towards the end there so that can be dicey.

I'm an independent contractor so the wife mentioned to me I need to keep excellent records for tax purposes. I'll need to pay quarterly stuff and self employment taxes, but since she's a CPA, I'll just give her my figures. Some meals and mileage will also be deductible. Makes my head spin! But this is the perfect retirement job no doubt. Getting paid to do something I love is just the icing on the cake!

Long day yesterday. We met at 10:30 and had to do a run of cars from Miami airport back to Lauderdale, the company was Sixt or something like that. Then back down to MIA to pick up our fleet from Hertz. Delays kept us waiting so we left there at 2:30ish. After a quick lunch stop, I hit I-75 which takes one across Alligator Alley and then up to Tampa airport. One of the older guys said to just set the cruise at 76 and book it. Good advice as several of the folks that blew right passed me were pulled over by the state troopers who were out in full force! Got just past Naples as rush hour hit so was bumper to bumper for a spell. Got to the meeting place located just before the Sunshine Bridge about 6:30 which was great as Mr. Bladder was knocking at the door. Turned out I was the 3rd one of the team to arrive. One guy got lost leaving Miami and had numerous issues locating and getting onto the Alley, a gps would be very helpful as I will probably borrow the wife's at some point. He was over an hour late and then getting the cars to the airport was a nightmare...too little space for all the cars, I mean there were cars everywhere. Finally, the workers just told us to park 'em and they took over. By the time we left and made a dinner stop, it was late so we ended up back at base at 12:40. I was tired and my spine hurt but an exciting day!

The crew chief mentioned that he got runs for today and tomorrow. Since they were meeting at 8 a m, decided it was prudent of me to rest the back and relax today. Signed up for tomorrows run which commences at 9:30. Sunday should be an easy driving day. Since this is a "part time" gig, I'd love to work every other day depending on if there is work and where they need to go. He doesn't usually know until that same day so flexibility is a must, something I've got plenty of. I just need to be smart and not hurt myself and have a spasm attach which usually puts me down for days at a time. Obviously, the more I work, the more $ I can make. Also, mentally, it's great to have some place to be after being home for so long. How much t v or computer viewing can one person do. And finally, I found a place that doesn't see my cane dependance as a liability that will actually hire an middle aged guy who wants to work, jobs are hard enough to find at my age with people who walk normally! A win win for us.

Sandy, with all the different cars you are driving, plus your ability to put into words your impressions of the cars, maybe you can increase your earnings by doing reviews for one of the car mags. I think something like that would make a really good monthly feature.

Sixt, I have rented from them many times, BIG in Germany, just entering the US market. I rented a MB E350 from them in FLL last year, some silly rate around $40/day. Sixt has some highline cars in its US fleet - MB C/E sedan and cabrio (!)/GLK/ML/SLK and maybe even GL, Volvos, at least a few BMWs, etc. Sounds like a fun job, paid to drive new cars back and forth.

This car is very impressive in the compact field. The auto tranny is super smooth unlike the Ford Focus's unit...I find it reacts quickly without much of a problem. Some might not like the purplish colors of the dash but I really like it as well as the whole layout. Don't get me wrong, the Focus is a very nice car and I'm definitely not a Ford guy, just find the auto tranny not to my liking. In the hatch version, it's a real looker especially in red and in SEL package. Just think the Hyundai is a notch above in all ways but just by a smidge. The Focus is that good that some days I really think it'll be my next ride! The cockpit area is more driver oriented than the Elantra as many reviewers have mentioned. The seats also envelope the driver a bit more snug, not a bad thing actually. The sedan leaves me cold though but the hatch is proportioned beautifully. I do think the Elantra GT is still a better overall vehicle and am anxious to finally drive one. I especially like the warranty Hyundai has as standard with each vehicle, a better deal than Ford or the other company's. All personal preference I know, but that's what makes folks purchase what they do purchase.

Curious to see how they've improved the Civic over the generation I drive now. Just in the past week, I've noticed how it just doesn't feel or drive like the new crop of compact cars I've driven. It's hard to put into words but my Civic, though pretty tight, just feels old compared to the new generation of compact car. Not a bad thing, but now I just want to trade mine in even more, something I won't do as the mileage is so low and it's a bonehead move financially. At least I get to feed my car fix with each new rental I transport and that my friends, will have to do! The only drawback right now, one of the older drivers I work with is a bit on the "cranky" side and he doesn't like me because of my "enthusiasm" so my crew chief told me this morning when we talked. The other drivers I talked to also mentioned that he's "cranky and mean spirited", so I know it's not me. I mentioned he'd been a bit rude to me and was confused as I've been very professional with him and very polite. Turns out he likes to be "the first" to choose from among the cars and resents when I make a beeline for what I want to drive that trip. All the other drivers, there are male and female folks, are all very nice. A mother/son team, a few nice ladies and the rest retired guys like me but all in their 60's and above. I don't like confrontation so I will just keep my distance and let this guy choose 1st as I won't enable someone else's rude behavior. I really thought I left this kind of behavior back in grade school!!

Brought some snacks and drinks the 2nd day on the job and worked out pretty well. But like yesterday, he called at 9:10 for a 10:30 meeting so I didn't have much in the house and still had to shower and eat breakfast. But am going to the food store soon to buy appropriate stuff to eat so I don't have to do fast food...too much of that crap will kill ya...rapidly!

Got rid of the Legend, and naturally, the E30 had to go into the shop the next day... $800 later, it's back on the road.. :sick:

So, in a month, once we have some decent weather, the plan is to sell the E30, and get something newer and maybe more reliable for my college student to drive... I've set a price ceiling of $10K (though hopefully a few thousand lower)..

Just to get an idea of the top end of our range, we went out to eyeball a couple of cars at local used car dealers.. It's a nasty day, so we weren't planning on any test drives.. just wanted to look..

First stop: '03 MINI Cooper S.. 90K miles, for $9800... Typically equipped.... bright blue (one color... no contrasting roof).. 6-speed.. Nice shape, 17" wheels with newer tires... a little curb rash on the wheels.. No moonroof, which isn't bad on a MINI, as they are huge and only have a screen, rather than a solid shade.. Teenager makes note that even with the seats down, he isn't positive his skis will fit, without interfering with the gearshift (he is tall and skis are long). He isn't thrilled, but the blue looks better in person, than on the website.

Could you have your back doctor give you a brace or something that would take the strain off your spine? Hard to work even at a job you love if you're in constant pain. You sure don't want to be driving around on pain meds either.

Personal Note: for what's it's worth I cured a persistent bad driver's back by switching my wallet from one back pocket to the other.

That is probably something that won't happen. I think Backy does an outstanding job in that area and I pale in comparison actually. When I reread my posts, they don't seem all that articulate...more like the ramblings of a guy who just loves cars. Technically, I don't know squat, I just enjoy the driving experience and the facets of a really good interior...more like a "Car For Dumbies Basic 101" sort of analysis. But I appreciate your thoughts here and will just keep doin' what I'm doin' until I get to the point where I bore folks, something I don't want to do!

Have all that stuff but will just use my cushion that I got from the Relax The Back store...tempurpedic stuff and it really is an outstanding item...had it since 2006 and it's still in perfect condition! Had to fight workers comp as even with a doctor's prescription, they still balked at paying for it which finally, after months of needless phone calls and letters, they sent me reimbursement. I just wanted what I needed. And the best part is that it retains it's shape no matter what unlike that cushion advertised on the tube right now...all the owners reviews have dissed the product saying it loses it flexibility and stays flat as a pancake after a few uses making the product useless. After reading all the negative reviews, I decided to get something with a proven track record. And that is what I'll do. It has a handle so it'll be easy to cart around with me and I won't look like a dweeb walking around.

Mini---do they really handle as well as they say? Always wanted to drive one and see. Would never buy one after trying to fit in one at the auto show but would like to see if the handling hype was true.

Jetta---We got one as a rental last time in Florida. Bigger than I expected (thought it was a Taurus in the dark). It had a sport mode in the tranny that kept the idle high and moved the shift points for higher revs. Fun at first but got old fast.

I test drove a Mini (S) when they very first came out. It was a blast bombing that little buggy around some twisty back roads. Just not a real option when I needed to be able to put 2 people in the back seat!